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Electrodynamics and plasma processes in the ionosphere
Author(s) -
Heelis R. A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg025i003p00419
Subject(s) - ionosphere , geophysics , plasma , electric field , physics , convection , latitude , interplanetary spaceflight , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , solar wind , astronomy , quantum mechanics
This quadrennium has seen great advances in our understanding of both small and large scale plasma processes and electrodynamics at low and high latitudes in the ionosphere. At low latitudes our advances include an assessment of the roles of the E‐ and F‐region neutral winds in providing the large scale electric field in the region as well as the influence of electric fields of magnetospheric origin on the motion and distribution of plasma. The factors affecting the creation and evolution of plasma structure with many different scale sizes has also been extensively studied. At high latitudes a more complete understanding of the effects of the interplanetary environment on the large scale motion of ionospheric plasma has been obtained. These studies have used a variety of ground based and in‐situ techniques to derive the instantaneous global convection pattern. The self consistency of electric fields, field‐aligned currents and ionospheric conductivity has been well established. The examination of many mechanisms for producing the myriad of plasma structures at high latitudes has also been undertaken. While all these studies have considerably advanced our understanding of the complex ionospheric environment, they have also served to formulate the future research efforts that will be required to adequately advance the field.